A day in Ranganathan Street

Be it morning or evening, weekday or a weekend this is how Ranganathan street feels like!

Air conditioned shops, stores, roadside setups, vegetables, fruits, clothes, bags, shoes, artificial jewellery, you name it and this street has it all.

Even in the hustle and bustle vendors find a quiet time for themselves, taking a break while waiting for customers. 

A woman watches and deciding from outside a shop as to go in or not. 

A woman watches and deciding from outside a shop as to go in or not. 

All over I noticed women buying and suddenly I see a couple of men looking at handbags and dresses. I guess it was the Valentine’s Day effect.

I noticed this old man selling brushes, clothes pins, remote control holders etc. I just couldn't resist noticing the comparison of his attire and against the new generation clothes displayed on a mannequin outside a store. In the entire street, he was as unique as his turban, kurta and the lungi combination.

A woman selling handbags takes a tea-break. Like stores, now roadside shop vendors also now prefer to avoid the hassle of bargaining with customers. Fixed ‘pries’ – take it or leave it.

A ‘refreshing’ conversation amidst the colorful shop!

I would label this as a not so frequent sight. Though police men and women have the same needs as the public, it is thought provoking as to why they are viewed differently. Is it the uniform making a difference or the contemplation that they can have the same needs? Think about it.

Portraits of a security guard and a street hawker selling Valentine Day cards. 

Lifestyle of a common man.

Walking along I saw this man coddling a baby. While his wife shopped, he took care of his baby patiently without a fuss. It made me think how the time is changing and changed as a matter of fact. Gone are the days where a man’s job was just earning and the woman’s to cook and take care of the baby. Today both share equal responsibilities outside as well as inside home. 

I noticed this young mother of two roaming around the street begging people for money. Her son wanted an ice-cream but she did not want to waste whatever little money she had on a luxury such as an ice cream. A generous ice cream vendor gives the boy a free cone ice cream which her brother is unwilling to share so the little girl is seen sulking. The mother makes futile attempts to make the boy to share the ice cream with his sister. The boy doesn’t budge. Now normally in such cases, the boy is then beaten up for his non compliance. But surprisingly the mother is seen cajoling and trying to cheer up her little girl. Your caste or status doesn’t really matter when it comes to cheering up your child when he or she is upset or sulking. Mothers love for her child.

Love is in the air or is it? As years go by love loses its importance in a marriage or relationship and it becomes all about responsibility and children till the time where spouses rarely have time for each other. They just go through the notions of being married or they grow apart being in the marriage. 

Ranganathan Street, located in T.Nagar, is one of the busiest streets in Chennai. Many commercial establishments can be found on Ranganathan Street.